“As a lot of you guys know, we’re a two piece band. Tyler wishes he could be here. I made sure to be here to accept this award…” said Josh Dun who accepted the award for both of them.

The Columbus, Ohio-based, existential-pop duo created a fan community that have become more cognizant of themselves as the group’s profile ascends.

To say “thank you” and also bid their massive Blurryface era goodbye, Twenty One Pilots performed five shows in their hometown recently. Called the Tour De Columbus, the run started at The Basement, a 300-person capacity room, to the massive Nationwide Arena. The shows sold out almost immediately; and to ensure that actual fans were getting tickets and not scalpers, the duo worked with Ticketmaster and their verified fan program to create the Fan Ticket Opportunity.

The “Skeleton Clique,” as they’re called, were up against Melanie Martinez, Motionless In White, Paramore, PVRIS and Sleeping With Sirens’ fans. Previous winners include Black Veil Brides’ BVB Army, All Time Low’s Hustlers and The Ghost Inside’s supportive fans.

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What the hell is YUNGBLUD, anyway? Is it a sassy stage name for British-born Dominic Harrison to wave his freak flag and pink socks under? Is it a musical vehicle that has absolutely no allegiance to genre as much as it does to getting the message across? Or is it a school of thought where the world’s youth can stand united to hasten the destruction of all the social, political and cultural barriers designed to separate them?